Friday, May 18, 2012

West African Nation Holds Prominent Position among
Sub-Saharan Countries

The Institute for Economics and Peace
has ranked Equatorial Guinea 75th on its 2012 Global Peace Index study, which
evaluates 153 countries on 23 indicators (on a 1 to 5 range, where 1 is the
most peaceful) ranging from a nation’s level of military expenditure to its
relations with neighboring countries and the level of respect for human rights.

The Global Peace
Study is produced by Vision of Humanity, an Australian organization that
describes itself as “a strong proponent of the need to further study, advocate
and act on peace.” The organization “brings a strategic approach to raising the
world’s attention and awareness around the importance of peace to humanity’s survival
in the 21st century.”

Iceland, New
Zealand and Japan were at the top of the 2012 rankings. The United States was
82nd.

The survey rates
countries on a scale of one to five in each category, with a score of one
representing the most peaceful. Equatorial Guinea received the same score as
the United States and Gabon (3 points) on the Level of Disrespect for Human
Rights, Spain and France both scored higher, with ratings of two and 1.5,
respectively.

Equatorial Guinea holds a
prominent position among sub-Saharan African countries, placing in 12th
position among 38 countries rated. The West African nation stands next to
China, Gabon and Spain in the category of violent crimes with two points, while
the United States and France were among the nations with the least violent
crime.

Equatorial Guinea also ranked at a more favorable
position than France, Spain and the United States on the number of internal and
external conflicts.